Fennel has been used in alternative medicine as a possibly effective aid in treating colic (intestinal gas) in babies who are breast-fed. Fennel may have been combined with other plants or extracts in a specific preparation to treat this condition.

Other uses not proven with research have included indigestion, gas or bloating, bronchitis, cough, or cold symptoms.

It is not certain whether fennel is effective in treating any medical condition. Medicinal use of this product has not been approved by the FDA. Fennel should not be used in place of medication prescribed for you by your doctor.

Fennel is often sold as an herbal supplement. There are no regulated manufacturing standards in place for many herbal compounds and some marketed supplements have been found to be contaminated with toxic metals or other drugs. Herbal/health supplements should be purchased from a reliable source to minimize the risk of contamination.

Fennel may also be used for purposes not listed in this product guide.

What should I discuss with my health care provider before using fennel?

You should not use this product if you are allergic to fennel or if you have:

past or present cancer of the breast, ovary, or uterus; or

a history of endometriosis or uterine fibroids.

Ask a doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider if it is safe for you to use this product if you have:

allergies to plants such as celery, carrot, or mugwort.

It is not known whether fennel will harm an unborn baby. Do not use this product without medical advice if you are pregnant.

Fennel can make birth control pills less effective. Ask your doctor about using non hormonal birth control (condom, diaphragm with spermicide) to prevent pregnancy while taking fennel.

Fennel may pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are taking fennel.

Do not give any herbal/health supplement to a child without medical advice.

How should I take fennel?

When considering the use of herbal supplements, seek the advice of your doctor. You may also consider consulting a practitioner who is trained in the use of herbal/health supplements.

If you choose to use fennel, use it as directed on the package or as directed by your doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider. Do not use more of this product than is recommended on the label.

Do not use different forms (tablets, liquid, tincture, teas, etc) of fennel at the same time without medical advice. Using different formulations together increases the risk of an overdose.

Call your doctor if the condition you are treating with fennel does not improve, or if it gets worse while using this product.

Store fennel in a sealed container at room temperature, away from moisture, heat, and light.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not use extra fennel to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while taking fennel?

Avoid exposure to sunlight or tanning beds. Fennel can make you sunburn more easily. Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) when you are outdoors.

What are the possible side effects of fennel?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Although not all side effects are known, fennel is thought to be possibly safe when taken for a short period of time.

Stop using fennel and call your healthcare provider at once if you have:

severe skin redness, itching, swelling, or rash.

Common side effects may include:

mild rash, itching.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect fennel?

Do not take fennel without medical advice if you are using any of the following medications:

ciprofloxacin (Cipro);

tamoxifen; or

birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with fennel, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this product guide.

Where can I get more information?

Consult with a licensed healthcare professional before using any herbal/health supplement. Whether you are treated by a medical doctor or a practitioner trained in the use of natural medicines/supplements, make sure all your healthcare providers know about all of your medical conditions and treatments.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

PeaceHealth endeavors to provide comprehensive health care information, however some topics in this database describe services and procedures not offered by our providers or within our facilities because they do not comply with, nor are they condoned by, the ethics policies of our organization.

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.

Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.